February 26, 2008

I hope you have a cup of coffee to sit down for awhile because it’s been so long since I’ve had any Internet access.

I think someone sprinkled fairy dust on me. If my life here was always this easy I may think I was in heaven. I just finished a meeting with our 20 staff members and it was so wonderful to hear them talk about the importance of respecting each other and to see everyone working hard all day. They did tell me that they think I’m too thin so that made me happy.

Our Phase II project is being well developed. This is the one where the ladies who cannot go back to the countryside are learning a way to open their own businesses.

Our new project coordinator is Netsenet. He has lots of experience in training. Daniel also worked with us to develop this. The program starts off with the basics. How to eat at a table with others; how to use respect when others are sleeping. I guess it boils down to the training we give our two year olds about sharing their toys. Next they develop into a literacy program. First they learn the “Fidel” — The Ethiopian alphabet. This has 82 characters each with a separate sound and a pattern of writing.

They also learn basics like what shape the world is, and the fact that there are other countries on our planet. Our goal is to get them to second grade level. Then the hard part begins: character training. We start with the basics. What is truth? How do we get courage? The final trait is Hope!

After this, we’re on to business training. How to make change. How to determine what they are good at, what can they sell? Where can they sell it? Next on to practical treatment. The businesses are open and we get to work on profit.

Finally, after one year the graduation. By the way our first graduation is August 9th. You’re invited!!!

Now we have our chicken farm trainer, our beauty trainer, jewelry making trainers, a new shop ready to open. Lots going on!!!

But!!!!! the most exciting of all is that we have opened Phase III!!!!!!!!!!

We are on our way to the countryside to educate the people about what causes Fistula and how to prevent it. We have big trucks that say “Women for Women doing our part to eradicate Fistula in Ethiopia. Once we get to the top five places of Fistula, the Ministry of Health has authorized the community leaders to communicate that fistula is not a curse from God but a physical problem that can be fixed. Plus they are emphasizing the need for girls to get an education. Then there is a team of 7 famous actors who have agreed to help us. They are doing a drama about a woman who gets Fistula and how it could have been prevented. Finally there is a ten question test. Everyone who gets 100% goes into a drawing for a special can to carry water. This is one of the most important things they need. Water is such a problem here.

Are you dancing now??? We’ve been working for this for such a long time.

I’ve got to run for now but I’ve got lots more to tell. Enjoy that cup of coffee!